Yeah, that's the top of the Rock Store climb. I'm convinced that half of the problem are the number of photographers up there every weekend, documenting this stuff. Not saying the photogs aren't nice guys or even on our side, but it definitely impacts all of the idiots who come flying through here. Generally speaking, I try to be off that hill by 9:30 on any Sat or Sunday morning. It's not too bad early.

Love riding that area, except for the cars and motorcycles - yikes. GMR and AC aren't quite as bad, but i have had some close calls by drivers who think they are on a race track. Drive out to Willow Springs, it's safe and it's legal to drive like you stole it.

In fact, if you live in a town of 30, and the other 29 are all pretty normal... well, I've got some bad news for you.

Penn Jilette told a story on his podcast how when he was talking to people he used to do (the TV show) Politically Incorrect with they told him about the "nut chair." He thought back and couldn't think of one panelist who would qualify as "the nut" when he was on the show...you know where this is going

Why pick that route? For one thing, that portion is smack dab right in the middle of the Santa Monica range and it's actually the entry point to many of the other canyons and roads. To avoid it means taking Kanan Rd, a major artery to the beach with 50 mph speed limits and a ton of traffic. Unfortunately, the thing that makes Mulholland so attractive for us also makes it fun for motorbikes. The problem is that they move so much quicker, not to mention the car clubs up there on weekends.

Speed dots have been placed on other canyons; Stunt for one. Not sure if they help. An expanded law enforcement presence on this two mile stretch works wonders. And the L.A. County Sheriff has done so when they have the manpower.

As I said earlier, get rid of the photogs up there and I think that would help somewhat.

Why pick that route? For one thing, that portion is smack dab right in the middle of the Santa Monica range and it's actually the entry point to many of the other canyons and roads. To avoid it means taking Kanan Rd, a major artery to the beach with 50 mph speed limits and a ton of traffic. Unfortunately, the thing that makes Mulholland so attractive for us also makes it fun for motorbikes. The problem is that they move so much quicker, not to mention the car clubs up there on weekends.

Speed dots have been placed on other canyons; Stunt for one. Not sure if they help. An expanded law enforcement presence on this two mile stretch works wonders. And the L.A. County Sheriff has done so when they have the manpower.

As I said earlier, get rid of the photogs up there and I think that would help somewhat.

Sunday tends to be much worse than Saturday, and of course, afternoons worse than mornings. Some of those antics are also alcohol-fueled.

What is needed is a little of this with a zero tolerance policy:

Reckless Driving

23103. (a) A person who drives a vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.

(b) A person who drives a vehicle in an offstreet parking facility, as defined in subdivision (c) of Section 12500, in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in Section 40008, persons convicted of the offense of reckless driving shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not less than five days nor more than 90 days or by a fine of not less than one hundred forty-five dollars ($145) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment, except as provided in Section 23104 or 23105.

Why pick that route? For one thing, that portion is smack dab right in the middle of the Santa Monica range and it's actually the entry point to many of the other canyons and roads. To avoid it means taking Kanan Rd, a major artery to the beach with 50 mph speed limits and a ton of traffic. Unfortunately, the thing that makes Mulholland so attractive for us also makes it fun for motorbikes. The problem is that they move so much quicker, not to mention the car clubs up there on weekends.

Speed dots have been placed on other canyons; Stunt for one. Not sure if they help. An expanded law enforcement presence on this two mile stretch works wonders. And the L.A. County Sheriff has done so when they have the manpower.

As I said earlier, get rid of the photogs up there and I think that would help somewhat.

+1 There are some idiot-prone roads I avoid on bicycle and this is one of them. Generally avoid it on my crotch-rocket too.

LEO presence is helpful, but they can't be there all the time. I always wave gratefully to LEOs on Palomar, even when I'm on my crotch rocket. But at the same time, I sympathize with riders who want to have fun: track days are hugely expensive, and the tech-inspection & scheduling process is a complete PITA. Motorcyclists as a whole are not the enemy; there exists just as many self-righteous, intolerant clods in our midst as does in theirs.

I'm a big fan of Palomar's buzz-ruts on the center line; at least they make a sport driver or rider think twice about crossing the double-yellows. South grade used to be wild-west, and I had dozens of head-on close calls before those went up, and they magically stopped almost overnight once it became noticeably more dangerous to ride on that paint.

Last edited by calamarichris; 11-02-13 at 02:17 PM.

Originally Posted by EvilWeasel

Well, if you are gonna carry a snapped frame all the way home. It might as well be light weight carbon fiber.

No doubt, I've seen a ton of stupid, inconsiderate cyclists there too; darting out from the sides, yelling at cars and flipping the bird. We are our own worst enemies.
I certainly understand why anyone in any kind of vehicle would like to drive/ride there. It's scenic and beautiful.

But in the past year, it's gotten worse, with a lot of showoffs drifting across the lines. Seen more than a few cars upside down in the curves and the drivers trying to figure out how to explain it to the wife.

I'm reluctant to respond, because there appears to be two camps about this question, with little liklihood of one side convincing the other of anything. I am of the opinion that while there are rude and reckless cyclists, they basically endanger themselves and very, very rarely anyone else. I also believe that they do not represent cyclists as a whole, any more than those crazies on Mulholland Drive represent motorists as a whole. Finally, I believe that rude, aggressive, and impatient drivers do endanger cyclists and the argument that so many cyclists break the law is just a canard to deflect attention away from their dangerous behavior.

Do I expect to convince anyone of these points? No, at least not anyone who has already made their mind up. But there may be newby cyclists who haven't made up their minds, and before they get on the path of condemning every cyclist who runs a stop sign, hopefully they will think again, and start directing their attention to what I firmly believe is the real danger.

the south portion of mulholland from pch up to the little sycamore/decker (hwy 23)/western mulholland area at the top of the climb was very manageable today. a handful of touring bikes
and even less crotch-rockets on the ascent. a fairly easy way into the heart of the santa monicas. cyclists outnumbered cars and motorcycles 5-1 during the 1.25 hours (9am-10:15am) i was on it today.
the motorcyclists and autos were all very mindful of their speed and respectful in their passing protocol. it was actually pleasant and proof that everyone with similar interest but different mediums
can share the road safely.

true happiness was only 4 autos and zero motorcycles on the deer creek ascent/descent just prior to this tho...